How to Record a School Play With Your Camcorder

Whether it’s a first time appearance on stage or the final bow, it’s always fun to capture the magic and hilarity of a school play for posterity. With these easy steps, you’ll learn how to record a school play with your camcorder and make a memorable recording.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Camcorder
• School play

1. Get a blank camcorder tape and place it in your camcorder. Grab a couple extras just in case.

2. Beg for, borrow or buy a tripod for your camera. This will help you get good, steady shots.

3. Pick out a seat that is in the back of the auditorium and near the center aisle. This will give you the best view of the entire stage, and it will lessen your chances of having a large hairdo or other visual disturbance blocking your view.

4. Set up your tripod and camcorder. Record a little bit of footage and play it back to see if you are getting the picture that you want. This will also give you an idea of how the sound is picked up, and whether you need to increase or decrease the recording volume.

5. As the lights dim, press record on the camcorder.

6. Use the program to determine when intermission will be, and be ready to pause or stop the recording just as the applause ends and before the lights come up.

7. Be back in your seat and ready to press record as the lights go out for the start of the rest of the play.

8. Leave the camera running all the way through the final curtain call, and stop recording as the curtain closes.
   

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that whatever tape you decide to use–brand new or previously used–is long enough to hold the entire play that you’ll be recording.
• If you have extra batteries for your camcorder, make sure they are charged and ready to go. And, of course, bring them with you.
• If you feel comfortable with your camcorder, use the zoom feature to capture special moments during the play. And of course, be sure to zoom in on the star you’re there to see when they have their turn in the spotlight.
• Be sure to charge your battery!!! Nothing’s sadder than getting to the best part of the play just as your camcorder poops out on you because of a dead battery.